Monetized preservation in the Fethiye microcosm: Rethinking natural and cultural heritage together

This sociological study argues that natural and cultural heritage preservation must be studied together in order to fully understand the destruction that is often concealed beneath the language of protection. To name this process, the thesis introduces the concept of Monetized Preservation—a framework that reveals how preservation, under capitalism, is repurposed to legitimize exploitation rather than prevent it. Using a qualitative research approach that combines in-depth interviews, TÜİK statistics, and archival materials, the study demonstrates the deep interconnection between nature and culture. It shows that the destruction of one inevitably leads to the erosion of the other. Focusing on the town of Fethiye as a microcosm, the research reveals how both ecological and cultural degradation stem from the same systemic forces—particularly tourism, real estate development, and neoliberal policy frameworks. What is framed as preservation often functions as a means to package, brand, and sell landscapes and traditions, leading to the alienation of communities from their environment and heritage. Younger generations, in particular, report a loss of identity and belonging as their cultural roots and ecological surroundings are commodified or erased. This thesis contributes to the growing body of literature that critiques preservation under neoliberalism, and calls for a holistic approach—one that treats cultural and natural heritage as inseparable. It urges scholars and policymakers alike to recognize the shared vulnerabilities of nature and culture, and to reimagine preservation as a practice grounded not in capital accumulation, but in continuity, justice, and care. Keywords: Monetized Preservation, Cultural Heritage, Ecological Preservation, Neoliberalism, Identity, Commodification, Türkiye